Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/356

350 W. D. FENTON. islative committee, on July 2, 1845, submitted to a vote of the people and carried by a majority of 203 votes. The first attempt at local government in Oregon began in 1841, resulting on July 5, 1843, in an executive and legis- lative committee, the former consisting of three members, and the latter of one member from each district. This was followed by the provisional government under the organic act just mentioned which continued until Gen. Joseph Lane, the first territorial governor, arrived at Oregon City, announced and put into operation the new territorial gov- ernment, established by act of Congress and approved Au- gust 14, 1848. The organic act framed by these illustrious co-workers in the establishment of this Commonwealth breathes the inspiration of the Declaration of Independ- ence, and is grounded upon the laws and constitutions of the older. States, from whence the people had come. It declared that "no person demeaning himself in a peaceful and orderly manner shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religious sentiments." It pre- served the writ of habeas corpus, trial by jury, propor- tional representation of the people in the legislature, and judicial proceedings according to the course of the com- mon law. All crimes were subject to bail except capital offenses, where the proof was evident or the presumption great. All fines should be moderate; no cruel or unusual punishment should be inflicted ; no man deprived of his liberty but by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land ; no property to be taken without compensation ; no law ever to be passed to affect private contracts. Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good govern- ment and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education were to be encouraged. Good faith towards the Indians in every way was required. It is worth notice that section 4, article I, of this organic act which reads, "there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude